The Insurance Claim Process Is Not Designed to Help You
That sounds harsh, but it is the reality. Insurance companies are businesses. They make money by collecting premiums and paying out as little as possible on claims. That does not mean they are evil -- it means you need to understand the game before you play it.
Here is how the roof insurance claim process works in Missouri, without the jargon.
Step 1: File the Claim
Call your insurance company or file online. You will get a claim number and a timeline for when an adjuster will come out. In Missouri, the insurer is required to acknowledge your claim within 10 business days and begin investigation within 30 days.
Pro tip: file even if you are not sure the damage is significant. Filing a claim does not obligate you to proceed, and having it on record protects you if additional damage surfaces later.
Step 2: The Adjuster Visit
An adjuster will come to your property to inspect the damage. They will get on the roof, take photos, and create a damage report using software called Xactimate. This report becomes the basis for your payout.
You absolutely should have your roofing contractor meet the adjuster on-site. This is standard practice and your insurance company cannot deny this. Your contractor knows what to look for and can ensure the scope is accurate.
Step 3: The Initial Estimate
The insurance company will send you an estimate. This is almost always low on the first pass. Do not panic. The initial estimate is a starting point, not a final offer.
Common things missing from first estimates:
- Code upgrades required by current Missouri building codes
- Ice and water shield in valleys and at eaves
- Drip edge replacement
- Pipe boot and vent replacement
- Proper disposal and haul-off fees
Step 4: The Supplement Process
This is where most homeowners leave money on the table. Your contractor should submit a supplement -- a detailed document showing what the adjuster missed or underpriced. A good contractor does this as part of their service.
We submit supplements on nearly every claim we handle. The average supplement we recover for our clients adds 20-40% to the original estimate. That is not padding -- it is getting the estimate to match the actual scope of work.
Step 5: Depreciation and Your Second Check
Most policies in Missouri use replacement cost value (RCV). That means the insurance company holds back depreciation until the work is completed. You get an initial check (ACV -- actual cash value), you complete the repairs, and then you submit for the depreciation holdback.
Do not leave that money on the table. The depreciation holdback can be thousands of dollars.
Your Rights as a Missouri Homeowner
- You choose your own contractor. The insurance company cannot force you to use their "preferred" vendor.
- You have the right to a re-inspection if you disagree with the initial assessment.
- You can invoke the appraisal clause in your policy if negotiations stall.
- Missouri has a "bad faith" statute -- if your insurer unreasonably delays or denies your claim, they can be held liable for additional damages.
We Handle the Headache
At Vulcan Construction, we manage the entire claim process for our clients. From the initial inspection to adjuster meetings to supplement negotiations to final depreciation recovery. Start with a free inspection and we will tell you exactly where you stand.